Speaker
of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, yesterday made a
startling revelation of how the elder brother of the impeached Imo State deputy
governor, Chief Martin Agbaso and some chieftains of the Peoples’ Democratic
Party, PDP, offered him a whopping N3 billion to impeach the state governor,
Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, yesterday made a
startling revelation of how the elder brother of the impeached Imo State deputy
governor, Chief Martin Agbaso and some chieftains of the Peoples’ Democratic
Party, PDP, offered him a whopping N3 billion to impeach the state governor,
Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Speaking
during an interview with selected journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital,
Uwajumogu alleged that Chief Agbaso, a business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor, the PDP
National Vice-Chairman, South East, Col. Augustine Akobundu and other high
ranking PDP members promised to give him the money if he would facilitate the
impeachment of Okorocha to pave way for his deputy, Jude Agbaso, to become the
governor.
during an interview with selected journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital,
Uwajumogu alleged that Chief Agbaso, a business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor, the PDP
National Vice-Chairman, South East, Col. Augustine Akobundu and other high
ranking PDP members promised to give him the money if he would facilitate the
impeachment of Okorocha to pave way for his deputy, Jude Agbaso, to become the
governor.
His
words: “Sometime in August, 2012, Chief Martin Agbaso, elder brother to the
former deputy governor, invited me for a meeting to help stop the PDP hierarchy
from removing me from office.
words: “Sometime in August, 2012, Chief Martin Agbaso, elder brother to the
former deputy governor, invited me for a meeting to help stop the PDP hierarchy
from removing me from office.
“I
attended the meeting in Anambra State in the house of a high level member of
the party, Sir Emeka Offor, we had other high ranking PDP members, including
the current South-East National Vice-Chairman of PDP, Col. Augstine Akobundu.
attended the meeting in Anambra State in the house of a high level member of
the party, Sir Emeka Offor, we had other high ranking PDP members, including
the current South-East National Vice-Chairman of PDP, Col. Augstine Akobundu.
“I
was shocked at the meeting. I was told that the Presidency has directed that
impeachment proceedings be commenced against Governor Okorocha to remove him
from office, so that the then deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso, can take over.
was shocked at the meeting. I was told that the Presidency has directed that
impeachment proceedings be commenced against Governor Okorocha to remove him
from office, so that the then deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso, can take over.
“The
sum of N3billion was offered to me and of course adequate protection. I now
asked them to give me the evidence that was required to impeach the governor
and up till today they have not given me any required evidence.”
sum of N3billion was offered to me and of course adequate protection. I now
asked them to give me the evidence that was required to impeach the governor
and up till today they have not given me any required evidence.”
The
Speaker further stated that; “While Chief Agbaso was trying to sponsor the impeachment
move against Okorocha, the governor got wind of it and confronted him (Agbaso)
and myself. I owned up having heard their discussion and there was no evidence
but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about.”
Speaker further stated that; “While Chief Agbaso was trying to sponsor the impeachment
move against Okorocha, the governor got wind of it and confronted him (Agbaso)
and myself. I owned up having heard their discussion and there was no evidence
but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about.”
Uwajumogu
also debunked claims that the impeachment of the deputy governor was
predetermined, stressing that, “I am actually surprised by some of the
information being released by the Agbasos. If there was any predetermined
impeachment action, it was to be against the governor, which was to be
sponsored by Martins Agbaso and the PDP in line with the directive of the
Presidency.” When contacted, Akobundu, said he was not aware of the Speaker’s
allegation.
also debunked claims that the impeachment of the deputy governor was
predetermined, stressing that, “I am actually surprised by some of the
information being released by the Agbasos. If there was any predetermined
impeachment action, it was to be against the governor, which was to be
sponsored by Martins Agbaso and the PDP in line with the directive of the
Presidency.” When contacted, Akobundu, said he was not aware of the Speaker’s
allegation.
“I am
not aware of what he (Speaker) was talking about. I am a member of the
opposition in the state and can’t be talking about impeachment; the PDP is
concerned with restoring good governance in the state.”
not aware of what he (Speaker) was talking about. I am a member of the
opposition in the state and can’t be talking about impeachment; the PDP is
concerned with restoring good governance in the state.”
Also
speaking, the state Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the party, Chief Blyden
Amajirionwu, described the Speaker’s claim as unfounded and total falsehood.
speaking, the state Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the party, Chief Blyden
Amajirionwu, described the Speaker’s claim as unfounded and total falsehood.
He
continued: “The PDP is not interested in the impeachment of Okorocha because if
he is impeached the PDP will not takeover, however, we are only working so that
we can win the next election and restore good governance in the state.
continued: “The PDP is not interested in the impeachment of Okorocha because if
he is impeached the PDP will not takeover, however, we are only working so that
we can win the next election and restore good governance in the state.
“The
PDP will remove Okorocha during the next general election; we are not talking
about impeachment.” In his reaction, Chief Agbaso simply said, “I am not sure
the Speaker can say anything like that.”
PDP will remove Okorocha during the next general election; we are not talking
about impeachment.” In his reaction, Chief Agbaso simply said, “I am not sure
the Speaker can say anything like that.”
Source: National Mirror
